In 1976, Kevin Cronin took over lead vocal duties and REO Speedwagon entered their greatest era. Constant gigging helped them gain a strong foothold as a live act, but it wasn’t until 1970, upon Gary Richrath’s inclusion, that the band gained vast regional popularity.ġ971 saw them sign with Epic, a relationship that stood through 14 releases, 40 million records and 13 Top 40 hits.
They chose the band’s moniker from the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck Doughty had learned of in history class, with the initials of its founder, Ransom E. REO Speedwagon achieved grand success few could have imagined following a chance meeting between founding members Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer, who were college students at the University of Illinois in 1966.
